According to a recent survey, nearly one in five people (19%) rarely bother to read the manual after unwrapping a new gadget at Christmas. I am actually surprised that this percentage is so low, although this survey was commissioned by the Civil Aviation Authority and seems particularly to focus on those receiving drones as a present (something yet to be experienced by the Brice household).
God’s ‘manual’ plays a key role in the Christmas story. Matthew pointedly states that the angel’s announcement to Joseph about the birth of Jesus all ‘took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us”’ (Matthew 1v22,23). It is also significant to note that the chief priests and teachers of the law immediately knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem because this was clearly prophesied in Micah.
RT Kendall has very recently written that “most Christians do not have a Bible reading plan. Most Christians do not read their Bibles regularly. Some Christians do not read their Bibles very much at all. And….some church leaders do not read their Bibles.”
Perhaps God is challenging us this Christmas – how important / relevant is His manual in our lives? How often do we consult it? A very good resolution for 2019 may be to follow a daily Bible reading plan (although don’t wait until 1 January to start!).
Peace and Grace
Paul